The Los Angeles Lakers are in desperate need of help in the backcourt, and their search this season could lead them to an unlikely source. According to a new report from insider Matt Moore, Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie is among the newest slate of players drawing interest from the Lakers.
“The Lakers want guards, but they need to at least be passable on defense, which is why there’s zero expectation at this point for them to add Zach LaVine,” wrote Moore, via Action Network. “Dejounte Murray is most likely their top target, but Malcolm Brogdon, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Tyus Jones (who is looking for a starting spot and the money that comes with it) are other names to keep an eye on.”
The Lakers are facing immense pressure to play well this season following their run to the Conference Finals last May. But at just 21-22 so far, the team hasn’t looked anything like what they expected. And now, the constant trade talks are threatening to further destabilize the entire situation.
A Problem In The Backcourt
D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves were given the start early this season for their efforts in the playoffs. While not perfect on the floor, they gave the Lakers just enough shooting and playmaking to dominate through the first two rounds. This season, however, Reaves has been inconsistent, at best, with his best performances coming off the bench for the Lakers this season. Meanwhile, D’Angelo Russell’s streaky shooting continues to pull the Lakers in all directions and there isn’t a lot of trust in him to deliver in big moments down the stretch.
Between the inconsistencies of their backcourt, it’s no wonder why the Lakers have been so mediocre through the first half of the season. But now, with a few weeks to go before the deadline, the work has already begun on finding replacements. In the East, the list of potential targets starts with Dinwiddie but it’s no secret that the Lakers are watching what happens with Dennis Schroder, Dejountay Murray, and Tyus Jones.
Dinwiddie Is The Perfect Fit
Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie isn’t the star-caliber show-stopped that many fans were hoping for, but he’s still someone capable of making a big impact on the roster, especially for a team like the Lakers that desperately needs playmakers. This season, through 39 games, he’s averaging 13.5 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game on 39% shooting. Aside from his poor efficiency and reports that he’s currently on strike in Brooklyn, Spencer Dinwiddie is a quality-level starter in the league and his presence alone would a lot of pressure off of LeBron and Davis.
Currently, it’s not known what the Nets are seeking for a potential return but the Lakers have some assets to trade with some picks and role-players that include Russell, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, and others. For now, until a deal happens, the Lakers have no choice but to work with who they have and try to keep their heads above water. But if it gets much worse for this team, we can expect some serious changes in some form, whether it’s on the coaching bench or on the roster via a blockbuster trade. Clearly, the Lakers already have a picture of the kind of player they want and it should help them narrow their search over the next few weeks.
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